Did you receive a letter or email from us? If so, we need more information from you in order to process your passport application. Learn how to respond to your letter and get your questions answered by referring to this sample letter:
This is the most common problem with passport applications. Please review our photo requirements before taking a new photo.
If only one (or neither) parent or guardian applied in person for the child’s passport, we may have a question about parental consent.
| If... | Please submit... |
|---|---|
| You have sole legal custody, or you are the only parent | One of the following documents:
|
| One parent was unable to go in person to apply for the child’s passport (but both of you have custody) | Form DS-3053 “Statement of Consent” filled out by the parent who did not appear in person to apply for the child’s passport. That parent must:
|
| You cannot locate the other parent (but both of you have custody) |
Form DS-5525 “Statement of Exigent/Special Family Circumstances" filled out by you. Please complete the form with as much detail as possible. Please note: We may ask for additional information (e.g., custody order, incarceration order, restraining order) to protect against international parental child abduction. |
| A third party (someone other than the parent/guardian) applied in person for the child’s passport (for example, a grandparent) | A notarized statement from both parents/guardians giving the third party permission to apply for the child. The statement must include a photocopy of both parents/guardians’ identifications (front and back). (If the statement is from only one parent/guardian, you must also show proof that that parent/guardian has sole custody.) |
Please Note: You must submit Form DS-3053 or other notarized statements within three months of it being signed.
To show parental relationship, submit one of the following:
You may also have received this letter if your name has changed since the child’s birth. In that case, please send evidence of your name change. Examples include:
You must submit both the original or certified birth certificate and a photocopy. To be acceptable, your U.S. birth certificate must meet the following requirements:
If your birth certificate did not meet one of those requirements, you must contact the vital records office of the state or territory in which you were born to order a new U.S. birth certificate.
If there is no birth certificate on file in the state or territory in which you were born, you must submit a Letter of No Record and a combination of early public records. See Citizenship Evidence page for more information.
There are several reasons why we may need more information for your passport renewal application, such as:
Follow the instructions in the letter and return the requested documentation or application to the address on the letter. See Renew by Mail for more information.
Please note: You may also have received a letter from us if you were not eligible to mail in your application.
When you applied in person, you had to show the acceptance agent a photo ID. If you received a letter or email asking for more identification, send us several photo IDs and include front-and-back photocopies of each one.
If you were born outside the United States and acquired U.S. citizenship through the naturalization of your parent(s), you must submit the following:
Please see U.S. Citizenship Laws & Policy for more information.
If… |
Please submit… |
| You didn’t submit your previous passport book or card. | Your previously-issued passport book or card. |
| Your previous passport book or card was lost or stolen. | Form DS-64 to report your passport lost or stolen. |
| You used Form DS-64 to report your passport lost or stolen, but forgot to sign it. | A new, signed Form DS-64 to report your passport lost or stolen. |
| You submitted a limited validity passport. | Evidence of U.S. citizenship. Examples include:
|
| Your passport is damaged or mutilated. | A signed statement explaining the damage or mutilation of your passport. The damaged/mutilated passport will be retained and destroyed. |
| Your passport is damaged or mutilated and cannot be used as evidence of U.S. citizenship. | A signed statement explaining the damage or mutilation of your passport, as well as evidence of U.S. citizenship. Examples include:
|
If… |
Please submit… |
| Your name has been legally changed | A certified copy of the court order or marriage certificate. |
| Your name has not been legally changed | At least three certified or original public records, which show use of this name for at least five years.
|
